GOOGLE, APPLE, HBO MAX, NETFLIX, RTL & SKY: NEW YEAR, BIG CHANGES!

17 snips

Jan 22, 2026

Google has surged past Apple in market value, revealing a shift in tech dominance. This growth showcases the power of advertising and platform economics over traditional hardware. Meanwhile, HBO Max finally launches in Europe, marking a crucial milestone for Warner Bros. Discovery amidst stiff competition. The timing of this release raises questions about pricing strategies and promotional efforts, particularly with the allure of sports rights to boost subscriptions. Both developments highlight an evolving media landscape and the strategic maneuvers companies must adopt to stay relevant.

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INSIGHT

Late Launch Creates Branding Gap

HBO Max's late standalone launches in major European markets create a major branding and distribution challenge.
Marion Ranchet says breaking Sky licensing and going direct is essential to unlock underexploited Warner content.

ADVICE

Maximize Shelf Presence With Bundles

Be on every major distribution shelf to jumpstart subscriber growth quickly.
Marion Ranchet recommends bundling with local champions like RTL Plus and global aggregators like Prime Video.

INSIGHT

Local Broadcasters Are Strategic Levers

Local broadcasters act as powerful market-specific partners across Europe, similar to telcos.
Evan Shapiro argues each country has a different major broadcaster that streamers must partner with.

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Google officially beat Apple and HBO Max is conquering Europe. Welcome back to The Media Odyssey Podcast!

In this episode, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet focus on two media milestones that didn’t get the attention you expect: Google officially surpassing Apple in scale, and HBO Max’s long-awaited launch across key European markets. Rather than treating these as isolated news items, the conversation explains why both moments matter and what they reveal about platform economics, global strategy, and competitive positioning.

The episode is a reality check on how quickly the hierarchy is changing, and how even long-anticipated launches now arrive in a far more crowded, expensive, and competitive environment.

Key Takeaways:

1. Google Has Officially Passed Apple in Size

Google, along with the rest of Alphabet, beat out Apple with a higher annual revenue and faster top-line growth. What once looked unthinkable now reflects Google’s dominance across advertising, platforms, and global scale.

Apple’s business remains strong, but it’s reliance on hardware and services tied closely to its ecosystem have kept growth down it is missing out on a core two thirds of consumers.

2. HBO Max Is Finally Launching Across Europe

HBO Max’s rollout into major European markets, a move years in the making, finally began. The launch represents a major operational and branding milestone for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Timing is a strategic Risk for HBO Max, arriving in Europe after Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, making customer acquisition more difficult and more expensive than it would have been earlier. Launching now means competing in a market where consumer budgets are tighter and subscription fatigue is real.

3. Scale Is Now the Deciding Factor

Whether it’s Google surpassing Apple or HBO Max expanding internationally, the episode reinforces that scale is increasingly what determines who can compete effectively.

Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8

Connect with us on Linkedin:

Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/

Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/

The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast

(00:00) - Introduction and Overview
(01:12) - HBO Max's European Launch
(04:05) - Strategic Partnerships and Deals
(11:58) - Pricing Strategies and Market Impact
(16:29) - Potential Acquisitions and Future Outlook
(24:43) - Netflix's Ad Tier Success
(25:10) - HBO Max's Struggles in Europe
(25:56) - Telco Deals and Bundling
(27:48) - Google Surpasses Apple in Market Cap
(28:59) - Google's AI and Search Dominance
(40:19) - Apple's Challenges and Future
(43:39) - The Era of Commodity Hardware
(46:35) - Upcoming Episodes and Events